hutchings



(NoModel.)

J. H. HUTGHINGS= 2 Sheets- Sheetl 1.

GOLLAPSIBLB BOAT.

No. 568,255. Patented Sept. 22, 1896.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Nm 1B HE om T Um HA .u H0 .HU J u d o M 0 m No. 558,255. Patented Septgzz, 1895.

Wc'tn esscs.'

-r wams PEYEks co. Puo

UNITED `ASTAIES` f PATENT Giiricn.

JOIIN IIAVKINS IIUTCHINGS, OF LOVESTOFT, ENGLAND.

coLLAPslBLE BOAT.4

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 568,255, dated September 2K2, v1896.

Application med MELIGh 3 1, l 8 9 6 l To all whom, t mag/,concern- Be it kno'wn that I, eIoHN HAwKiNs HUTCH- INGS, a subjectot'the Queen of England, residing at Lowestoft, Suffolk, England, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Collapsible Boats, of which the fol- -lowing is a specification.

This invention relates to boats so constructed that they may be folded up for convenience of transport and portability.

' The invention will be best lunderstood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of the com-l plete boat in its expanded or working condition, a portion being broken away to show the framing. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal central section of Fig. 1, and Figs. 3 and 4 are transverse sections on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2, showing the boat in respectively its expanded and collapsed condition.

In Figs. l, 3, and 4 the boat is' shown with its outer or canvas cover or sheathing, and in Fig. 2 without it, and Figs. 3 and 4 are drawn to a larger scale than that to which Figs. l and 2 are drawn.

Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.

In carrying out the invention I provide a suitable keel A, of wood, metal, or other material, and connect to this, preferably by joints A', suitable stem and stern posts B, which, in the example represented, are both alike. From the keel A extend preferably flexible ribs C to the height of the gunwales D, to which they are connected, the ribs and gunwales being lat and constructed of metal, wood, or other suitable material and as thin as possible, so as to take up little room when the boat is collapsed. When the ribs C are made of lexible metal, each pair to be attached to the keel A may be formed in one piece, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. These may be secured in a groove in the top of the keel A by a strip or barA, fitting into the groove and over the ribs, and by rivets or equivalent A2, passing through the keel A, ribs C, and bar A.

The ribs C may be secured directly to the gunwales D, or by means of straps or loops or equivalent C fastened to the ribs and en- Serial No. 585,652. (No model.)

i circling ,the gunwalesD, By these last` named means the gunwales are free to move through th'e loops C' independently of the. ribs. Y

lBetween the ribsV C at the two sides of the boatand above the keel A, I employ a keelson E, to which are pivoted stanchions E for supporting the seats F-and stiitening the boat generally, the endsof the keelson E being 6o connected with braces G whose upper ends' are jointed to the upper ends of, respectively,the' stem and stern posts B conveniently through brackets 'GQ secured to these posts. chions E' are turned down int'o an approximately horizontal position,I as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 and in full ylines in Fig. 4. They may be retained'in the vertical posi- Vhen the boat is collapsed, the stantion by bolts R2, fitted-thereon, being made 7o to engage with holes in the seatsF, as shown in Fig. 3. The braces G are preferably adjustable in length, and for this purpose may each be formed in two parts, one carrying a screw G2 with a nut G3 thereon and the other 75 formed tubular for receiving' the screw and providing an abutment-surface for the nut G3, as shown in Fig.v 2; or the two parts of each brace may be connected by g ett handed screw or nut or'otherwise.

' The seats F are each formed' in two parts hinged together, as at F', at the center of the boat and also hinged at F2 to bands F3, cons isting of thin strips of any suitable material covered with canvas supported by hooks or clips F4, engaging with the gunwales. Vhen the boat is collapsed, the seats Ffold downward at the center and lie near the keelson, as shown in Fig. 4. When the seats F are straight, the gunwalesD are forced and held 9o apart by them, suitable catches preferably being provided to retain the seats in this condition even without the assistance of the stanchions E. For this purpose Imay secure on one half of the seat F aplate F5, adapted to project beyond the second half of the seat, at which projecting part is provided an opening F6, Fig. 4. Vith this opening Fi a spring-catch or spring-controlled catch F7,

mounted on the second half of the seat F, 10o

automatically engages when the seat is straightened, as shown 1n Fig.` 3, and to release the catch F7 from the opening F( said catch has to be raised, which, in the example represented, may be effected by means of the eye or loop F8, passing through the seat to the top thereof, said loop being moved upward by hand or by a suitable taper bolt, hook, or equivalent. Instead, however, of using a catch device such as that previously described I may employ any other device suited to the purpose. By connecting the seats to the boat by means of the bands F3 and hooks or clips F4, as before described, the seats together with their appurtenances may be lifted bodily out of the boat, leaving only the collapsible hull. IVith this arrangement it is not compulsory that the seals should fold, for when the boat is to be collapsed the seats may be removed.

The seats F, instead of being supported by the bands F3 and clips F4, may be hinged directly to the gunwales or connected to the sides of the boat by any suitable connecting devices.

The ends of thegunwales D are connected, preferably, by hinges or equivalent D' to the stem and stern posts B and are also pivoted, as at D2, at their connection with the hinges D', so as to allow of the double movement necessary at these joints when folding the sides together. The bands F3 and those of the ribs C which are connected to the stein and stern posts B, for example, the last two at each end of Fig. 2, are also similarly doublehinged to the posts B for a like purpose.

The rowloeks II are preferably pivoted in sockets Il', carried by clips H2, which, like the clips F4, are secured to and assist in supporting the bands F3. If desired, however, the rowloeks may be mounted on the boat in any other convenient manner.

The tackle by which the boat is suspended I prefer to connect with the pulleys or equivalent J, secured upon the gunwales D by clips or equivalent J', so that as the weight of the boat comes upon the tackle it will tend to close the gunwales together, and thus assist in the folding up of the boat. In Fig. 4 the boat is shown in the collapsed condition in which it. would ordinarily be when suspended by tackle. Vhen, however, it is de sired to stow the boat away, the iiexibility and jointing of the ribs allow it to be pressed into comparatively a very small space and almost flat.

The frame may be covered either inside or outside7 or both, with canvas or other suitable waterproof and flexible material or shea-thin g K. In the example represented the frame is covered on both sides with this waterproof material, which for this purpose is formed into a double casin g approximately corresponding in4 general shape to that of the frame. This covering K is held in position at the lower part by the keelson E, beneath which and between which and the keel A or bar A' its inner partor casing passes, as shown in Figs.

2, 3, and 4, and at its upper part it may be secured to the gunwales by any or all of the clips F4, H2, and J', or it may be secured in position in any other convenient manner.

A further protection and support for the occupants of the boat may be provided upon the inside in the form of removable canvas or other flaps or lining L, containing, preferably, thin cork, rubber, or equivalent material, and masts and sails (not shown in the drawings) may be employed, as required, and

connected with the keel A, keelson E or ribs C, and seats F, as needed, and a rudder and other customary fittings can be used, if required. To accommodate the rudder-pin tles, I prefer to secure two clips M to the stern-post B, outside the sheathing K, conveniently by means of bolts M', passing through the arms of the clips, as shown in Fig. l, though other means maybe employed for the purpose. If desired, also collapsible tubes of rubber or other water and air tight material may be carried in any suitable part of the boat, conveniently around the sides under the seats F, or these may be arranged near the top at the outside of the boat to serve as fenders, and the pressure of air or gas in these tubes may be the same as that of the atmosphere, or greater, suitable pumps being employed for charging, if required. There the air is only intended to be used at atmospheric pressure, one or more screwvalves may be employed for these tubes, left open when the boat and valso the tubes are collapsed and screwed up or closed when the tubes are distended.

The ribs C and other portions requiring protection may be enameled, painted, varnished, or otherwise protected, and the boat when collapsed may be provided with a canvas or other waterproof cover or bag to protect it. Ties IWI and hooks or other fastenings M' may be employed at requisite intervals along` the sides or gunwales D to hold them together when the boat is collapsed, as in Fig. 4.

The before-described boats may be carried in their collapsed condition in passenger, man-of-war, and other vessels, stowed in secure or safe places, or on deck ready for use at any time.

I claiml. In a collapsible boat the combination with the keel of stem and stern posts jointed thereto flexible ribs secured to the keel and stem and stern posts gunwales jointed to the ribs and stem and stern posts a waterproof and flexible sheathing for the frame A keelsoirbraces connecting the keelson with the stem and stern posts screw adjustments for these braces seats joints and catch `devices for the seats connecting devices for conneeting the seats to the sides of the boat stanchions for the seats and removable lining.

2. In a collapsible boat, the combination with the keel and stem-post jointed thereto,

VSe

IOO

IIO

IZO

of ribs, united to the keel and ribs pivoted at their lower ends to the stem-post;.substan tially as described.

3. In a collapsible boat the combination with the keel and stem-post jointed thereto, of ribs secured to the keel, and ribs pivotally connected at their lower ends to the stempost so as to have pivotal movement in two directions, substantially as and for the pur pose set forth.

4. In a collapsible boat, the combination with the keel and stem-post jointed thereto, the gunwale pivotally connected to the stempost, the ribs secured to the keel and extending up and secured to the gunwale, and ribs pivoted at their lower ends to the stem-post, substantially as described. i

5. In a collapsible boat, the combination with the keel and stem-post jointed thereto, the gunwale double-pivoted to the stem-post, the ribs secured .to the keel and extended upward and secured to the gunwale, and ribs double-pivoted to the stem-post, as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a collapsible boat, the combination with the keel and stem-post jointed thereto, the gunwale, the flexible ribs secured to the keel and extending up and secured to the gunwale, and flexible ribs pivotally connected at their lower ends tothe stem-post substantially as described.

7. In a collapsible boat, the combination with the keel, grooved longitudinally, of the flexible integral ribs, fitted into said groove, the strip or bar fitting into said groove over 35 the ribs, the bolts passing through the ribs, keel and bar, the gunwales, the loops or straps carried by the ribs, for securing said ribs to the gunwale; substantially as described.

8. In a collapsible boat the combination 4o with the keel and the stern and stem posts jointed thereto, a keelson, the braces pivotally connected to the keelson, and to the stern and stem posts substantially as described.

9. In a collapsible boat the combination 45 with the keel and stern and stem posts jointed thereto, the keelson, the adjustable braces pivotally connected at one end to the keelson and at the other to the bracket carried by the stern and stem posts; substantially as de- 5o scribed.

l0. In a collapsible boat the combination with the keel, and the stern and stem posts jointed thereto, a keelson, the two-part braces adjustably connected together and pivotally 5 5" connected at one end to the keelson and at the other to the stern and stem posts; substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand in the presence of the two subscribing 6o witnesses.

JOHN IIAW'KINS I-IUTCIIINGS.

Vitnesses:

ALFRED J. BoULT, HARRY B. BRIDGE. 

